Waretown Man Found with Over 1,000 Child Porn Images at his Home

Four months of investigating by the Ocean County Prosecutors Office has led officers to the home of a Waretown man who has allegedly been possessing and distributing child porn, announced Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer.

Michael D’Elia, 40, of Waretown was arrested on Tuesday and charged with Possession of Child Pornography in violation of N.J.S.A.2C:24-4b(5)(b)ii, 2ndDegree, and Distribution of Child Pornography in violation of N.J.S.A.2C:24-4b(5)(a)i, 2ndDegree.

The investigation was run by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Squad and the United States Homeland Security Investigation unit.

During their investigation detectives identified a Waretown address as a source of distribution of child pornography over the internet.

Prosecutor’s Office Detectives along with Officers from the Ocean Township Police Department, executed a search warrant at the residence this morning.

Detectives found over 1,000 images of child pornography on devices located within the residence.

Additional charges are pending a complete forensic examination of various items seized in connection with the search warrant.

D’Elia was processed at the Ocean Township Police Department and transported to the Ocean County Jail where he is lodged pending a detention hearing.